AN: I return again with an update! A lot has happened to me, but I'm back to writing so I hope you enjoy~
Chapter 13: La Carmela (Part II)
I'm not going to survive. Came Harriet's conclusion.
Fast forward several minutes (or thirty, maybe an hour; an exact estimation of time was lost to her) and the girl has isolated herself in the girl's restroom inside the Mexican establishment. She could hear the party bustling outside, at the beginnings of celebrating the birthday of Carmela Flores.
Scott's girlfriend. Something her cousin decided to leave out, among other things.
And why is she hiding?
Well explaining that is complicated.
So to understand, let's imagine this: Imagine yourself as Harriet for a moment.
It's time for everyone to hide once Scott messaged they'd be on their way. They soon arrive and on cue, the lights shine and everyone pops from their hiding places to surprise the birthday girl.
Except for you. You've managed to hide in a place undetected for others to spot you. You feel, before exposing yourself to the unknown, the need to first analyze Carmela at a safe distance. You see her, hanging comfortably on Scott's arm and let's go to reunite joyously with her friends and family.
A peaceful energy surrounds her with a spark of childishness in her gestures and behavior. At the same time, she acts mature and polite as a young adult. Most notably though, Carmela is pretty. Beautiful. Breathtakingly so, and you can see why Scott would be interested in her. Though how he's managed a steady ongoing relationship for two years is still beyond you. And what does that say about Carmela herself? What does she see in a guy like him?
Smiles, hugs, and well-wishes were shared and the party kicks off from there. Thankfully no one's aware of your sudden absence and this would've been a good opportunity for you to blend yourself back into the crowd. Would've felt more comfortable to do so, but more and more you feel like the odd one out, knowing absolutely no one here sans your biological cousin.
Even worse, you still don't know how any of his mates, how even his girlfriend views you from what he's told them. What if they get the wrong idea? What if they draw the wrong conclusions? Scott's no stranger of over-exaggerating things. Then, dreadful realization hits. Scott also tends to boast about his family a lot, especially your father. It'll be like the incident from Jun's club all over again. And frankly, that's something you don't wish go through ever again.
The fear of the unknown; no, the fear of the worst slowly takes over any reason for you to stay any longer.
And here you are. Hiding from the world once more like a coward.
Sitting hunch in the far corner next to the sink, Harriet breathes a humorless laugh.
"Always a weakling even now. Not surprising." She mutters to no one. "Maybe I should ditch this party all together. Go back to the hotel."
"Now why would you say something like that?"
Given, the restroom was never a clever hiding place, so Harriet wasn't all that surprised. What irritates her though was her inability to pick up someone entering so she could at least migrate to one of the stalls. Or if not that, at least make herself appear decent and not pathetic like a lost child.
Mrs. Flores doesn't comment on any of it, only gives the girl a gentle smile.
"I hope it isn't too much trouble," she begins politely. "But would you like to accompany me in the kitchen? I could use an extra set of hands."
And Harriet went from hiding in the public restroom to helping an old lady prepare more appetizers and desserts. The purple head almost believed she wasn't in Japan anymore, gazing at all the familiar Mexican dishes. She's been exposed to a lot of these as a child thanks to her father's side of the family.
And those empanadas are calling her name.
"May as well eat some now. Those Nekoma boys can clear plates quick on empty stomachs." quips the old woman.
"T-Thanks." Harriet takes one, the bread still warm in her hands, and takes a bite. The delicious meat and veggie filling makes her realize her own hunger after only eating breakfast. In no time she's on her next one. "These are really good Granny."
"I'm glad you think so. Otherwise, what kind of business would I be running?" She grins. "You like atole dear?"
"I'll drink gallons of it and never stop."
Mrs. Flores chuckles at her words and slides over a glass mug filled with the cream colored drink, cinnamon sprinkled at the top. Watching the girl take a couple sips, the old woman asks, "Would you like to know how those two met?"
"Hm?" Harriet blinks to her quizzically, straw in between her lips. She lets it go. "You… talking about Scott and Carmella?"
She'd be flat out lying if she said she hasn't been thinking about it.
"Well, back in high school, your cousin was apparently so outstanding, he could've chosen one of the best universities Japan has to offer."
That was the start of the story Harriet never expected to hear and it showed on her face. She opens her mouth, wanting to call out such absurdity, say that the Scott she always knew always performed at average or below, always finding school work to be a chore he'd rather ignore. But Mrs. Flores raises her hand for permission to continue and confused, Harriet lets her.
"That would catch you by surprise. When you start a new life you are unprepared for, behavior tends to change for some. Something is needed to drown out the loneliness; the homesickness, and for a while Scott found that through assignments and studying. He would linger with his peers at school, but not enough to establish any connection. He'd seem carefree and chipper on the outside, but inside he longed for his old life back. And he's kept these feelings away from his family for so long, believing their happiness is more important than his."
It's odd hearing this. It's impossible to believe Scott kept this to himself, saying absolutely nothing as he and his newly made family prepared to move. That all this time he wore a mask that had everyone fooled. He was never happy about leaving America for the rest of his life.
"Later on, he went from an honor student to a delinquent, skipping for days in a week. School no longer helped fill the empty void. Instead, his next solace was traveling and offering music gigs. It was a little piece of familiarity he desperately clung to, performing for others. It didn't satisfy him completely. The loneliness would still overwhelm him, but he decides to live with it, unable to find a better solution.
"Carmela was the same too you know, forced to leave her home and everything she grew close to for the sake of family business. There was never a day where she didn't miss going back to Mexico. And it wasn't until she met Kuroo and Kenma that things became a little easier for her. I can never thank those two enough for entering her life. The same could be said for Scott, when she entered his. I'd like to believe that now, with the relationships he's made here, he can finally take comfort into viewing this country as his new home."
"Hm…" Harriet taps her nails on the glass, lost in thought as she eyes her drink.
From what she saw, Scott does look happy in a way she's never seen on him before. It's different. More profound perhaps? And if it's because of Carmela then…
A part of Harriet is really happy for him, shocking as it was to find out at first. They did look like a really cute couple. Yet a deeper part of her swirls in jealousy, realizing he's found someone effortlessly before she did.
Suddenly, images of her and Tsukishima emerge and invades like a cancer in her brain. Harriet's cheeks burn and she fights the urge to slap herself hard in the face.
The fuck was that?! No. No way in hell.
Just no.
"So long as he's happy!" Harriet forces a grin on her face and Mrs. Flores had to tilt her head.
"You alright dear? You seem to be burning up."
"I fine! Of course I'm fine!" She laughs, which may or may not have been strained. "And I must say, your granddaughter must be quite something if she's able to put up with Scott for this long! I would know. It's possible, but you just want to knock him unconscious sometimes you know?"
"I do feel the same too, every time he visits us," she admits, laughing with her.
"Abuelita!" Barging into the kitchens comes Carmela the birthday girl and it catches the two by surprise. "Where did you store the piñata? Señor Nobuo said you guys made a big one this time! And have you seen Harriet around? Scott's getting really worried not seeing her…"
Her eyes meet Harriet's and Harriet imagines those chocolate eyes as headlights while she is a deer, frozen in them. She's even more beautiful up close! And it seems that quiz she took years ago wasn't bs-ing after all.
Harriet opens her mouth and tries to say words, but apparently it's like her throat's been filled with cement.
"U-Um… hi… you… you must be-"
Luckily she didn't get to finish. However, breathing can get a little difficult when your face is shoved in a woman's chest. And said woman refuses to let you go for some time.
Is this how boys feel when they say they can die happy like this?
"I'm so happy I get to finally meet you Harriet! You have no idea how long I've been wishing for this moment and now it's a dream come true! This has got to be the best birthday gift ever!"
'I'm a gift?' Harriet thought to herself, but the words couldn't register fast enough due to lack of oxygen intake.
"Your tetas are suffocating her Carmela," her grandmother points out, half amused and half fed up. "Honestly, you'd be aware of your actions by now after doing it so many times to the boys!"
Carmala backs away lightning fast at that, blushing and apologizing sincerely. Harriet brushes it off as if none of it bothered her, but her cheeks were just as red.
"Sorry if I came on you a little too strong," the young woman apologizes again. "I'm just so happy you came. I know you don't know anything about me and that to you I'm a complete stranger dating your cousin, but I really hope we can become good friends!"
She grabs hold of Harriet's hands affectionately, which were still grasped onto the glass mug. Harriet jolts at the act and leans back nervously as Carmela continues closer in her proximity. "Also, I want you to know that I support you all the way as you make it to the top in your music club! Not only that, if you need any advice on boys, you can come to me! Always remember to never disregard your feelings! Understanding them is tough which is why I will make it my mission to help you Harriet! That is my promise!"
"Um…" What does one even say to that? "Thank you?"
That earned her a squeal and a return to another hug. Harriet acted quick enough this time in having her cheek take the direct impact. Doing so, she's able to see Mrs. Flores shake her head in defeat with her palm to her face.
The old woman silently leaves the two and after a few minutes, she returns with a large colorful paper-mâché of a donkey.
"I believe it's time you two hurry on outside. Have fun and make sure nobody hurts themselves. I will return shortly." She hands the piñata and shoos the girls out of her kitchen.
"Have you ever hit a piñata before?" Carmela asks, hugging the large donkey in her arms.
"When I was small yeah. My grandmother liked to hand-make them too." Her birthdays were fun, even if she didn't have any friends to invite and Scott was the only relative her age. Having more cake and candy to herself were the upsides to that.
"I love watching my kouhai play. They all act so silly." The woman giggles. She gives Harriet a warm smile and it makes the girl's heart skip. "I really hope you have fun tonight Harriet."
"W-Why should it matter? It's your birthday party. You should be having the most fun out of everyone here."
"True true. But for me, I'm only truly happy when I'm with my friends and family. They're all very precious to me, which is why I want to do everything I can to put smiles on their faces."
"Well, nothing against that, but you have to look out for yourself too. Not everyone has the same mindset as you and people can easily take advantage of that."
Carmela laughs and nods in agreement. "I learned that the hard way when I was little. You're placed on suspension for something you didn't do right?"
"So he told you about that."
"That doesn't upset you, does it?"
Harriet shakes her head. "Nah. As long as no one gets the wrong idea, I don't really care anymore. What happened happened. And if I get to take a break away from school and all of its bull, then I'm not gonna complain."
"Things will turn out better for you Harriet."
"I guess."
"I'm sure of it!" Carmela presses and blocks the younger's path. The two stand still in the middle of the empty restaurant while sounds of various musical instruments bled through the walls from outside. With it came a man's voice, singing in a powerful yet mesmerizing tone.
"Everyone has a rocky start when encountering new things. It doesn't matter what it is. It could be moving to a different country and rebuilding a new life. It could be entering a sport and hoping to one day take the championship title. And it could be striving to become as good as your father in something you both love."
Harriet's eyes hit the floor, feeling vulnerable once again at a stranger talking about something so deeply personal to her. Fingers gently reach under her chin. They lift the girl's head, returning to Carmela's understanding gaze.
"When my parents and I moved from Mexico, I was still learning Japanese, so understanding people and trying to convey what I wanted to say was difficult. Because of that, kids would point fingers at me so they could get themselves out of trouble. And when I tried to seek help from people who I thought I could trust, it would end in betrayal. After that experience, I thought I would never recover from it and I believed that no matter what I did, Japan would have no place to accept me. I was a very miserable little girl."
She releases her chin. The eye contact doesn't break, Harriet unable to do so. Despite her story, no sorrow marred the young woman's smile.
"Fast forward to junior high and I got better at the language. But the past still haunted me and I avoided any social interactions if I could help it. However one day, I was asked if I could tutor a grade seven student. I was very good at science and numbers for a grade eight so it was understandable. Still, I was fearful and refused. Later, the student I was asked to tutor came to me. His name was Kuroo. Who would've thought that one simple meeting would change everything? Soon, I would meet Kenma and be pushed into their volleyball dreams as manager. The moments I shared with everyone during my years in Nekoma, I would never trade for anything in the world, not even to travel back home, because I really do see the team as part of my family. And Scott…"
She sighs. It was full of raw love and adoration once his name passes her lips.
"He was just a boy I happened to pass one weekend, singing sad and romantic Spanish songs on his guitar. A delinquent and a flirt when we first spoke. And he became the final piece that… just completed everything. Looking back to all I went through to get to this point, I wouldn't have this any other way. I'm happy with what I have and I'm excited for what await for me in the future. So…"
She puts the piñata down to pull Harriet into her arms again. Warm, protective, true, and smells of spring after a light rainfall.
"I know things may seem hard now, but good things will come. Trust me. Take a closer look around you and you'll see you're not truly alone. And if there's something you're not sure about, if you want, I'll be here. Scott made you important to me too, so don't be afraid to confide in me."
The two stay that way for a while. Harriet doesn't move. Doesn't speak. Carmela continues to hold her, smiling in the girl's violet hair. And despite the music filtering the room from the outside world, the young woman was able to pick up a tiny sniff before unsteady arms circle around her, returning the embrace.
"You'll see Harriet," she whispers lovingly. "You'll see."
… .. …
Carmela was right. The Nekoma boys do act silly over something as basic as hitting a piñata.
From Yamamoto roaring into a power swing only to miss, to Kenma hardly making a dent on purpose, to Lev getting the object to swing and hit his face.
Then it was Harriet's turn and her enthusiasm, having not played this game in so long, caused her to hit both Scott and Kuroo somehow. For a while they complained she did that intentionally, even though she had been blindfolded like everyone else. All Harriet could do in response was laugh and was backed up with the birthday girl, laughing alongside her.
Harriet wasn't allowed to go a second time. To that, she playfully stuck out her tongue, not at all upset.
In fact, she feels extremely better and she had no one to thank but Mrs. Flores and Carmela respectfully. Though inside she still feels pessimistic about where life is taking her, Carmela's words of encouragement and her offered support was comforting. Scott is a lucky guy.
Speaking of…
It took a while (after a big meal, cake and songs lead by a Spanish duet between Scott and co-manager Nobuo) before Harriet could finally catch her biological cousin alone. He was at the restaurant's gazebo stage, setting up the electronic equipment he brought from the trip.
"So what does DJ Scottsman have in store for everyone today?"
"I'm glad you asked!" Scott untangles himself from the many connected wires and stands to turn on power to the controls. "We are gonna do some karaoke."
"Karaoke? Of all things?"
"My girl loves karaoke. Heck, everyone loves karaoke!"
Harriet shrugs. She wouldn't count herself as part of everyone. "If you say so."
"What, you're not gonna sing?" Was it just her or did he sound disappointed? "Carmela would really want you to."
"Is there anything about me she doesn't know that you haven't told her?"
"Hey, it's not like I enjoy talking about you nonstop. But she's curious about my life and my family so I have to indulge her."
She eyes the back of Scott's head, Scott busy taping at his laptop computer, opening software and other necessities. Had she not talked to Kuroo, had she not talked to Mrs. Flores, had she not talked to Carmela, Harriet would've thought nothing of the comment. And Scott knew that.
Which is why she finds it stupid that he's trying to avoid it. And he knows that too.
A minute later and he visibly shivers. Scott whips back to fix a glare. "Okay. You need to stop it with that whole 'staring into your soul' thing. It's really disturbing."
Harriet only folds her arms, her gaze unrelenting. Expectant. Scott sighs.
"Alright. Fine." He faces her fully, back leaning on his equipment, mimicking Harriet as he folds his arms too. All frontages and barriers down. "What have they told you?"
"Well," she starts. "That you have a girlfriend, for one."
Scott nods.
"That you were a prodigy student for a while and almost flunked school sometime later."
He grimaced. "Yeah. Not one of the greatest highlights of my life-"
"You were miserable here. You never wanted to move."
Scott says nothing to that, coiling tighter within himself. Harriet, despite knowing him for so long, has never seen him look so… small.
"Why couldn't you talk to Uncle Adrian?" she had to ask.
He sighs again, shaking his head. "It was gonna happen no matter what I said. Besides, just because I wasn't happy about moving, didn't mean I didn't want to try. And I tried so hard to be as happy about it as everyone else. I mean, I've always tried to see the brighter side to my misgivings, solve shit on my own and not burden people with it. Figured this wouldn't be any different.
"Turned out I was only hurting myself more. Those habits I developed during the first year, acing test scores and then ditching that to be a freelance artist, those were my methods of escape. I would've never known I was practically digging my own grave had I not met Carmela and Abuela-san. Even worse, after I gathered enough courage to talk to my parents, I only noticed then how much I had worried them, even Junichi."
He slouches forward, face buried in his hands. "It was all a mess that could've been avoided, had I not been so stupid. And I have no one to blame but myself."
"Scott-"
"But it's all okay now." He combs through his locks and straightens his back. His smile looked worn and exhausted. "I never liked asking for help. Or expressing what's wrong with me. But sometimes it's necessary. I get that now."
Harriet steps forward. "But …are you sure you're okay? I mean, you're still doing this job."
"But now, with the intention of doing what I love. And making money." Scott reaches out to ruffle his cousin's hair, his smile brighter. "But yeah. I'm good."
He then traps her in a headlock and proceeds to mess her hair up more. Harriet yells and the two wrestle, laughing and enjoying the rare a bit of bonding they have together.
... .. ...
"Oh. So you're hiding too."
There was definitely something cat-like watching Kenma's body visibly tense and also the way he peers at Harriet from his phone. Cautious and stiff. The girl fights the urge to laugh.
"Are you like this with everyone or am I really that frightening?" She couldn't help to tease though.
The second-year stares quietly. His muscles refuse to lax and the silence stretches long enough for Harriet to believe he won't say anything to her at all. Well this is awkward. Awkward but expected, thanks to the brief first meeting they had mere hours ago. She was tempted to let him carry on his business and leave.
"…Kuro will try and get me to sing with him. I'm trying to avoid that," the boy mutters low, but clear enough for her to hear.
"Ooh." Harriet was a bit surprised that he's responded. And though his focus returns to his cellphone, he doesn't appear to be rudely brushing her off. She chooses to steer the conversation. "Well compared to my situation, you're lucky. Because apparently the birthday girl wants me on stage, and I don't know if there's a way to say no to her."
"There isn't," Kenma confirms. Then, as another surprise, offers, "You can hide here if you want."
Harriet cocks her head. "You sure? I'd rather you be honest. You won't hurt my feelings if you tell me to leave you alone."
Cat eyes shift to her again, observing, before he smiles in the way that's shy and yet unintentionally charming.
"Good to know." He continues his quick tapping. "You are frightening, but that's what makes you, you I guess. And you seem to embrace it. I'd say I don't do well around those types, but I don't do well around people in general. So I'll get used to you."
"Huh." Harriet's lips turn up sideways at the second-year's way of thinking. "Well in that case…" She sits next to Kenma, behind pieces of large shrubbery a fair distance away from the karaoke show. "Thank you for helping me out of harm's way."
Kenma gives a hum and a nod. It would seem he's now done talking, intently focused on his device. 'Must be a game he's playing', Harriet thinks to herself.
Inwardly, she sighs. She was hoping this interaction may jog some memory to his name, but no such luck. Should she ask? Just outright confront him on this issue or would that put him off?
"Oi Harriet. Can I borrow your face real quick?"
She whips her head to him, her eyes raised and brow arched at the outlandish question from the boy next her. "What-"
Click.
"Thanks." Kenma returns to his phone. Harriet blinks.
"Did you…" She blinks again. "Did you just take a picture of me?"
He hums affirmatively. And Harriet felt torn between admiring his daring boldness and wanting to scare him into deleting it.
"…Why?"
"You'll find out in about three seconds."
Needless to say, that only confused her more. Before Harriet could even say a word, three seconds pass and her phone buzzes. She fishes for it while glancing at Kenma suspiciously. Kenma wasn't typing anymore. A hint of amusement emerged in his smile.
"After knowing Shoyou for some time, you can easily predict his actions. He's been talking about you, not knowing you're here with us."
"So you do know him." Figures. Harriet snorts a laugh at the boisterous text message from Hinata.
[HARI-CHAAAAAN! U RAN INTO NEKOMA?!]
[Y DIDNT U TELL MEEEEEEE ; o ;]
{Lol. I didn't exactly plan on running into your rival team.}
{Scott apparently knows them tho. He's dating someone who used to be their manager.}
[EEEEEHHHHHH?!]
{IKR?!}
And so the two spend time in their hiding spot filling Hinata in on what's been happening via group chat. They are quick to discover their mutual love of seeing the decoy hype up over minimal things. Harriet choked air when Kenma, outside the chat, describes Hinata as a pleasant virus.
SunniGiant: i wanna try mexican food!
LazyGamerPro: Next time you come to Tokyo we can visit this place.
TheWickedBitch: Better idea! I can make you something when I come back.
SunniGiant: really?
SunniGiant: you don't have to
TheWickedBitch: You remember me saying I'd do anything for you right Hinata-chan? This counts!
TheWickedBitch: Plus there are many Mexican dishes that take little to no time at all so it's no biggie
SunniGiant: t-thank you hari-chan! you're the greatest friend ever!
"You made him blush," Kenma mutters, holding back a snort.
"It happens. But how can you not?" Harriet grins big, but then frowns when she eyes the chat. "Wait what's this?"
_PrettyBioNerd_ has entered the chat
TheWickedBitch: Who is…
_AlphaCat_ has entered the chat
LazyGamerPro: Oh no
SunniGiant: ?
AlphaCat: Hello Medusa-chan! So you're making food for Chibi-chan huh?
AlphaCat: Won't Tsukki get jealous?
PrettyBioNerd: You should make some for him too!
TheWickedBitch: Wat
LazyGamerPro: We've been found
LazyGamerPro: Abort
AlphaCat: Too late~
PrettyBioNerd: Too late~
Shadows blanketed over their hunched forms.
"The stage calls for us Kenma!" Kuroo says jovially. "You won't escape this time!"
"I know you'll be great too Harriet." Carmela's lashes flutter innocently. "Just once? Please?"
TheWickedBitch: Pray for us Hinata.
LazyGamerPro: We may not survive.
SunniGiant: …its karaoke right?
SunniGiant: you'll survive!
... .. ...
The alarm clock greets Harriet the following morning on day two of her suspension/vacation in Tokyo. However, instead of waking up to Tous les Mêmes by Stromae, the song she's sure she's chosen in her playlist before bed, Harriet wakes to a different one.
I know you, you're a special one
Some see crazy where I see love
You fall so low but shoot so high
Big dreamers shoot for open sky
Groggily, she blindly reaches across her bed to the nightstand, where her phone should be. Whoever tampered with it (Scott) placed it farther away.
So much life in those open eyes
Looks like she'll have to change her password.
So much depth, you look for the light
Then she'll kill him.
But when you're wounds open you will cry
Why? Why, out of thousands of songs to choose from, did she pick this one if she knew it'll bite her in the ass later?
You'll cry out now and you'll question why
Well, she could chuck it up to the fact that it made her think of so many things. Like home, her mom, guitar practice with dad, Tia. And also about stuff here in her new home, with Junichi and his club, slowly picking up the pieces, her new friend Hinata, Scott opening up for the first time, that talk with Carmela…
I can see a rainbow
In your tears as they fall on down
I can see your soul grow
Through the pain as they hit the ground
She grabs her device and turns the offending thing off. Standing, fully awake and out of bed, Harriet huffs an irritated sigh.
Yet she doesn't really feel as mad as she should be. Odd.
She yawns, stretches her limbs and checks the time.
"11:30?!" Bastard made her oversleep! Screw it, he's dead.
"SCOOOOOOOTTTTTT!"
... .. ...
"Aaaaaand that's why I have a limp in my step. Because my cousin cannot seem to appreciate that, because we'll have to leave very soon tonight so she'll make it to school, I wanted to give her a few more hours extra sleep," Scott explains.
"You know, sometimes I think you purposely like to get hurt. Changing the time is one thing, but the song?" Kuroo says. Meanwhile, Carmela covers her mouth, trying to not laugh too loud.
"She and I are practically siblings, and we do jabs like this often as a way of saying 'Yes. You did this and I will indeed hang this over your head because that's my job'. All in good fun."
Scott, Kuroo, and Carmela had migrated to Kenma's kitchen just to talk. Kenma and Harriet were way too into a fighting game to notice them gone. From here, they heard the girl curse at another loss, followed by a faint chuckle from her opponent. It was around evening, after school and volleyball practice, that they decided to gather at Kenma's place for the last few hours before the cousins had to drive back to Miyagi.
"But you were so right! Harriet does a beautiful voice!" Carmela croons dreamily, thinking back to her birthday party. "My only regret now is not recording it."
"Already got ya covered!" Kuroo flashes his Cheshire grin, waving his phone.
Carmela smacks his shoulder. "I was joking! You actually did that?"
"Yep."
"And you say I have a death wish," Scott humors.
"Oh I did worse than this," the Nekoma captain continues. "Found it necessary after everything you've told me."
"Oh god what did you do?" the dark brunette asks, feeling both dread and excitement.
In the living room, both Harriet and Kenma were spooked out of their zones due to loud rambunctious shrieks and laughter. Just noticing the older teens missing, they followed the sounds to the kitchen.
They found Carmela on her knees, face red and quaking with giggles. Meanwhile, Scott was draped over Kuroo's shoulders, looking almost depraved of oxygen as he offers the third year a fist bump.
The youngsters just stare at them and feeling it best not to ask, they quietly return to the couch.
When it was time leave, Carmela found it mandatory that Harriet has hers, Kenma's and Kuroo's numbers and Harriet didn't think she could refuse if she tried. Scott and Carmela scare their goodbyes with a passionate kiss that had Harriet feel that stirring pit of jealousy once again before shaking it off.
"Maybe we'll meet again Harriet."
"Yeah, hopefully while I'm not suspended."
Kenma nods. Kuroo props an arm on his best friend's head. "You be good Medusa-chan. Take good care of Chibi-chan and Tsukki for us. We want them at their best when we face them again."
"You bet I'll look after Hinata. Can't promise anything for Four-eyes though." She shrugs her last sentence, which brought a laugh out of the captain.
Soon, Scott and Harriet were driving home. In her passenger seat, Harriet gazed down at her list of contacts, which seemed to be getting longer as time passes during her stay in Japan. In America, she only had her family's numbers and Tia's. To her, it's odd to see the list fill up so quickly. Something in her chest burns that warm gooey feeling, similar to when she made Jun happy for entering his club.
There was nothing but content silence during the car ride in the night when,
"OH MY FUCKING GOD!"
Scott almost steered out of his lane at his cousin's abrupt shout.
"Are you trying to kill us?!" Scott looked out of breath after righting his position on the freeway. He glanced at Harriet to see her banging her head against the dash. "What, did you forget something?"
"No," she groans. She stops hurting herself but lays here head there miserably. "I'm so fucking stupid..."
"I shall neither confirm nor deny this," Scott says. "So what brought this realization?"
"Kozume Kenma…" she drawls out. "Tia's pen pal. I remember now. No wonder that name stuck out so much." She bangs her head on the dashboard one more time.
"Wait… you didn't know that?" Scott takes all of his willpower not to laugh. "This whole time?"
"Shut up Scott." She didn't feel like swerving them both off the road and into their deaths, though she thinks they both deserve it. "Just drive and shut up."
AN: If you're curious, the song Harriet chose to sing at karaoke is Rainbow, by Sia. That woman's voice singing those lyrics has brought me to tears when I really feel down. That's when you know it's good.